Traffic stop leads to $75,000 in drugs, enforcement team says

Police: guns, digital scale located after search warrant issued

PORT ANGELES — A Port Angeles man remained in the Clallam County jail on Sunday after a June 17 traffic stop led to his arrest for investigation of drug distribution and the seizure of an estimated $75,000 in drugs by the Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team.

Talon Michael Smith, 39, of Port Angeles made his first appearance in Clallam County Superior Court on Tuesday. He remained in custody early Friday afternoon for investigation of possession of controlled substance with intent to deliver and physical control of a motor vehicle while under the influence plus six Class C felony warrants.

Bail was set at $25,000 either bond or cash plus another $42,575 in cash.

A Port Angeles police officer responding to a welfare check request in the alley between Fourth and Fifth streets near Jones Street at about 1:15 a.m. on June 17 discovered a Chevy Tahoe parked in the travel portion of the alley with the motor running, according to a Olympic Peninsula Narcotics Enforcement Team (OPNET) press release.

A man later identified as Smith appeared unconscious but breathing and drug paraphernalia was spotted in the car, according to OPNET.

The officer activated his vehicle’s lights to indicate it was a traffic stop, OPNET said.

OPNET said the officer also spotted bags of suspected methamphetamine and fentanyl pills on the floor and between the seats in the front of the car.

Officers said Smith initially provided a false name but eventually was arrested for investigation of physical control of a vehicle while under the influence.

The officer obtained a search warrant for the vehicle. When OPNET detectives searched the vehicle, they said they found:

• A portable radio with local law enforcement radio channels programmed into it.

• A Glock Airsoft pistol.

• An AR-15 Airsoft rifle.

• Digital scales with drug residue.

• A total of 5,000 blue fentanyl pills with an estimated street value of $20,000.

• A total of 210 grams of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $8,400.

• A total of 456 grams of fentanyl powder in brick form with an estimated street value of $45,600.

________

Reporter Brian Gawley can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 55650, or at brian.gawley@soundpublishing.com.

More in Crime

PA man gets 11 1/2 years in shooting

Jury found Lester guilty of attempted murder

Aaron Fisher, left, appears in Clallam County Superior Court on Jan. 9 with his attorney Lane Wolfley at a hearing during which his trial was confirmed to begin on Jan. 26. He has been charged with second-degree murder. (Clallam County Superior Court)
Murder trial is set for Jan. 26

Bank robbery trial to be reset for future date

Dozens of law enforcement vehicles assisted with the arrest of Justin Cox last June after he allegedly shot at officers and bystanders as he was sheltering inside a home. On Dec. 22, he received an order for civil commitment for inpatient psychiatric treatment. (Emily Matthiessen/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim man sent to state hospital

Charges could be refiled in Carlsborg standoff case

Cole Douglas, who was sentenced Thursday after he pleaded guilty to the March 2025 hit and run that seriously injured Sequim middle-schooler Colton Dufour, listens to Judge Elizabeth Stanley as Colton’s mother, Cherie Tachell, seated several rows back, smiles at her son just minutes before Douglas was taken into custody to begin serving a 12-month jail sentence. Seated beside them is victims advocate Molly Ramsey, who works in the Clallam County prosecuting attorney’s office and read a victim’s impact statement to the court during hearing. (Clallam County Superior Court)
Sequim man gets 1 year in hit-and-run

Teenager was seriously injured in March collision

Judge orders mental exam

Arraignment in murder case reset for late January

Couple investigated for identify theft, fraud

A Sequim couple has been arrested following an investigation… Continue reading

Jury selection Monday in child abuse case

Infant was found to have 11 fractures, including ribs, leg

Murder suspect returns to court

Charges refiled in his mother’s death

Montana man arrested three times in Clallam County in December

A 37-year-old Montana man was arrested three times last… Continue reading

Sheriff’s Office warns of payment requests scam related to jail

Multiple scam reports involving fraudulent payment requests have been… Continue reading

Financial scam targeting Peninsula residents, Sheriff’s Office says

North Olympic Peninsula residents have had more than $1… Continue reading

Robbery sentence set for 17 years

Reynolds pleads guilty to multiple charges